‘Game Of Thrones’: Jon Snow Is No Oathbreaker

Tonight, episode three of the sixth season of Game of Thrones aired, and OH MY GOD.

Seriously, these recaps are getting hard to do. All I want to do is scream and fangirl over this season’s perfection. And so, following last week’s posts, I’ll go into more detail about the episode tomorrow. But for now, let’s talk about Jon Snow.

Last week’s episode of the beloved show ended with the twist we all saw coming (but still cheered at any way).

Look familiar?

JON SNOW IS BACK BABY! And I, of course, really need to take a moment to just appreciate Kit Harington. His performance this episode was a new level of fantastic. The terror and shock was so gorgeously portrayed, and so real. I mean, I’ve never seen someone come back from the dead before. But if they did, I’m pretty sure that would be their first reaction. And it was heartbreakingly beautiful. From the confusion and shock, to the horror, to the sadness and anger at remembering what happened to him, particularly the betrayal of his steward, Olly, Kit seriously pulled out all the stops this episode. Jon is back, and while I can’t quite point out what it is, he’s different. But hearing our Lord Commander’s voice again was a beautiful moment. Bless you, Kit Harington. And bless you, HBO.

Melisandre seems to be back to her regular self, and with good reason. Bringing a man stabbed (how many times?) to death back to life is a pretty impressive feat and for her, it’s proof that the Lord of Light has not yet abandoned her. She speaks what has been on the minds of many fans, that Jon is in fact Azor Ahai reborn. This is what she believes, and it would make sense, especially considering the end of the episode, which I’ll get to.

But Davos brings up an interesting point. Does it really matter why? He’s back. He can’t waste this second chance, and he knows this. But it’s a fair question. If I was brought back from the dead, I’d want to know why too.

What’s even more interesting is what Jon saw after he died. Nothing. There is nothing after death, and this is actually really important for Jon as a character. In an interview, Kit says,

“At first, I was worried that he’ll wake up and he’s the same, back to normal – then there’s no point in that death. He needs to change. There’s a brilliant line when Melisandre asks: ‘What did you see?’ And he says: ‘Nothing, there was nothing at all.’ That cuts right to our deepest fear, that there’s nothing after death. And that’s the most important line in the whole season for me. Jon’s never been afraid of death, and that’s made him a strong and honorable person. He realizes something about his life now: He has to live it, because that’s all there is. He’s been over the line and there’s nothing there. And that changes him. It literally puts the fear of god into him. He’s seen oblivion and that’s got to change somebody in the most fundamental way there is. He doesn’t want to die ever again. But if he does, he doesn’t want to be brought back.”

Kit, I couldn’t have said it better myself. After seeing that this life is all there is, it would change you, and how you make decisions. Which of course leads to the end of the episode.

Jon hangs the men who betrayed him, including Olly and Alliser Thorne. These are two deaths we’ve been waiting for for so long. Olly since Season 4, and Thorne as far back as Season 1! A satisfying scene in and of itself, and Jon exacts justice and revenge for what was done to him. But it’s not enough. He hands his cloak to Edd. The Wall is his. For his watch has ended.

Jon is no longer the Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch. He is leaving Castle Black.

Let’s take a closer look at those vows, shall we? “Night gathers, and now my watch begins. It shall not end until my death.” HE DIED. He was brought back to life, true, but that doesn’t change the fact that his death ended all of his responsibilities at the Wall, released him from his duty to the Watch. Jon Snow is no oathbreaker, for he served the Night’s Watch until his death. He died protecting and guarding the realms of men. He did his duty. Now, he can move on.

What will he move on to do? What is next for Jon Snow? Kit said it himself, Jon now knows he has to live life to it’s fullest, but what does that entail? There is one obvious answer. Taking back what is his. Demanding justice for what happened to his family. Perhaps finding his family (cough cough Sansa cough cough) and protecting them. Killing those who betrayed and hurt the Starks (cough cough Ramsay Bolton cough cough). Finding out his true parentage!? He only has one life. And the Watch will not take it from him. And while he isn’t a part of the Watch any more, will fighting the White Walkers still be on his list of things to do? If so, he really could be Azor Ahai reborn. But only time will tell.

With a fresh and gorgeous new haircut, Jon Snow is ready to take on the world. It’s about time! I can’t wait to see what’s next for our former Lord Commander, but I definitely hope it involves kicking some Bolton ass. A lot of people may be angry about the Jon Snow plot, but whether you like him or not, Jon is a key player in this game of thrones, and his part is far from over. So deal with it.

Jon’s awesome. And that’s all there is to it.

Share this:

Like this:

Published by Maggie Stancu

Maggie Stancu is a Canadian film critic and recap guru who is obsessed with too many shows and films to count. She is the founder, editor-in-chief, and sole contributor to media news site Fiction's Mistress. Maggie previously contributed to pop culture sites such as ScreenPrism and Movie Pilot, and continues to contribute to Vocal Media. She's also still waiting for her Hogwarts letter, which should arrive any day now...
View all posts by Maggie Stancu